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Guidelines
Acute Bacterial Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Acute Bacterial Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Pearls

Always remember to elevate the extremity, failure to do so will delay clinical response or lead to clinical failure

Abscesses must always be drained via I&D (the primary treatment); not all cutaneous abscesses need abx after I&D

Consider non-infectious cellulitis mimics for which antibiotics are ineffective (i.e. lymphedema, swelling, volume overload, dermatitis)

  • Gram-negative pathogens are unusual causes of cellulitis
  • Thus expanded gram-negative coverage (i.e. zosyn) should be limited to neutropenia, transplants, cirrhotics, animal bites and salt/freshwater exposures

MRSA coverage should also be considered